Burn After Reading is a 2008 dark comedy crime film written, produced, edited and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen.[5] It follows a recently jobless CIA analyst (John Malkovich) whose misplaced memoirs are found by a pair of dimwitted gym employees (Frances McDormand and Brad Pitt). When they mistake the memoirs for classified government documents, they cross paths with a womanizing U.S. Marshal (George Clooney). The film also stars Tilda Swinton, Richard Jenkins and J.K. Simmons.